Honduras' Six Major Coffee Regions: Copan's Coffee Growing History, Stories, and Flavor Characteristics

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Honduras: The Ideal Land for Coffee Growing

Honduras is located in northern Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean's Gulf of Fonseca to the south. It shares borders with Nicaragua and El Salvador to the east and south, and Guatemala to the west, consisting mostly of mountains and plateaus. With a tropical climate featuring mild temperatures and abundant rainfall, it provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.

Unique Flavor Profile of Honduras Coffee

Honduras coffee offers a rich and mellow taste profile that is neither astringent nor acidic, with excellent body and aroma that gives it remarkable character. Honduras coffee can reveal multi-layered flavors depending on the degree of roasting. Medium roasting can maximize the beans' sweetness, while dark roasting enhances bitterness without eliminating the sweetness entirely. Generally, medium roasting provides the best taste profile with rich and unique aromas, making it highly favored among Honduras coffee enthusiasts.

Copán: The Outstanding Coffee Region

The Copán ruins are located in Copán Province in western Honduras. Copán was one of the most important city-states during the classical period of Mayan civilization. At that time, it was the southernmost among all Mayan states. Copán is Honduras' most outstanding coffee-producing region, where fertile soil gives local coffee rich chocolate flavor, balanced body, and sweetness.

Copán Province (Copan): Copán beans feature chocolate flavor, mellow taste, and high sweetness.

Honduras: A Coffee Production Powerhouse

Many people don't realize that Honduras' coffee production is astonishingly impressive.

Since 2011, Honduras has surpassed Guatemala to become the world's 7th largest coffee-producing country (Guatemala ranks 10th).

All countries ranked above it are coffee giants, including Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, and India.

Honduras is not only the largest coffee producer in Central America, but if counting only washed Arabica beans, Honduras is actually the second largest in the world!

It wasn't until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that coffee surpassed bananas to become the most important economic crop.

Coffee Cultivation and Social Impact

Banana production was dominated by large American companies, but coffee cultivation is handled by small farmers.

Honduras has an estimated 110,000 coffee farmers, with hand-picked cherries being the main harvesting method.

During the harvest season, coffee can create 1 million job opportunities, offering young people an excellent way to earn extra income.

Schools break for holidays starting in November and don't resume until early February, which perfectly aligns with the coffee harvest season.

Quality Recognition and Regional Diversity

In recent years, the quality of Honduras coffee has gradually gained recognition in international markets.

Excellent varieties such as Bourbon, Catuai, Caturra, Typica, and Pacas are cultivated in different regions, developing distinct flavor profiles.

Starting in 2007, Honduras strengthened its origin labeling system, dividing coffee-producing areas into six major regional brands:

• Copán
• Opalaca
• Montecillos
• Comayagua
• Agalta
• Paraiso

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